In need of a guru

[Road Rasher]

Thanks cuchilo, that's really useful info, and means I'll follow my friends advice about getting a race geometry bike!

I just need to find the right deal.... :/

And I'm feeling impatient!

 

[Cuchilo]

Someone may be along soon to say bike geometry and riding position are not the same thing , I wouldn't know about that stuff to be honest but I do know I'm quite happy to do 100km on the TCR without any issues ( other than I'm 40 )

 

[Road Rasher]

Ok, i realise that my budget will appear to have deflated, but it's because i want to buy a quality 2nd hand bike first, get the hang of it, and then (hopefully) invest in a brand new one after a year or so.

I've seen the following two options available second hand

Focus Cayo 105 (2011) - £600

Trek Madone 3.5 2013 - £850 (maybe £800 if i push him)

Would the Trek be worth the extra £200? Or maybe i should buy it new with the cycle scheme and get it for a similar price after tax is taken into account. Its listed at £1,175 on pedalon

Sorry to be a pain and thanks for reading in equal abundance!

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

I would take the Canondale over any of the bikes listed so far as its the better frameset by a country mile.

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

Focus over a Trek anyday of the week

 

[smokeysmoo]

Another vote the C'dale, yes I'm biased but hey ho

Buy it, ride it, love it

 

[Road Rasher]

So the 2011 Focus with a rating of 3.5 stars from bike radar is better than the 2013 Trek with a rating of 4.5? (i did say i was a sucker for a review!)

The cannondale is lovely, but a lot steeper in price compared to the others. i am tempted though...

 

[vickster]

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/ Lots of 2013 C'dales on sale

 

[Road Rasher]

you cyclists are all the same! encouraging me to spend lots of money!!

any tips on a few sites to check out second hand bikes? (feel free to advise any nice 2nd hand bikes too!!)

btw - thanks to everyone who has provided advise so far, i thoroughly appreciate it

 

[Peteaud]

Just go buy the Dale, you won't regret it.

Ok i am biased , but every time i ride the Six it puts a smile on my face.

Fast, comfy, well built and nice attention to detail imho.

 

[the_mikey]

Just make sure the bike fits, that will ultimately influence how much you will enjoy riding it.

 

[Road Rasher]

lots of cannondale fans on here! the thing is with the supersix, paulscycles only do the 58cm frame. now, i'm 6'1.5" (the half is important!) with a 35 inseam. 58 SHOULD fit nicely on most bikes, but i tried my friend's 56cm supersix and it seemed to be a lovely fit. so i'm nervous about buying a 58 online without being able to try it out.

i've seen a Giant TCR Advanced 3 online (2009 model) for approx £650 which is tempting me.

 

[Road Rasher]

err...forgot to add - Anyone with any opinions of a 2009 TCR Advanced 3, let your feelings be known!

 

[Road Rasher]

probably (undoubtedly) a stupid question, but it's listed as a full carbon fibre bike, but the Giant website have it as an 'advanced composite'.

Is that carbon?!

 

[vickster]

Yes. Composite is carbon. Otherwise, alu, alloy, steel, titanium, bamboo as materials for bikes

You can tell by looking at the frame. No welds